Apparatus for coating zinc bars with lead



- Aug. 16, 1927.

A. H. ROSSBACH APPARATUS FOR COATING ZINC BARS WITH LEAD Filed June 28. 1926 INVENTOR. ADDLPH HLRU SSBACH A TTORNEYJ Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

ADQLPH H. ROSSBACH, OF. COLUMBUS, OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR COATING ZINC BARS WITH LEAD.

Application filed June 28,

My present invention relates generally to coating apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for coating zinc bars with lead for use in art glass Work for the purpose of joining and holding together the diiferent sizes and shapes of ornamental colored and decorated glass sections of glass windows, shades and the like, since I have foundthat by coating zinc bars with lead a verysuperior article for the purpose may be produced. Such a coated bar is acid proof and unafi ected by the elements the same as a solid lead bar and in addition has thestitfness of a metal bar which the solid lead bar does not possess.

It is well known that zinc and lead have nearly similar melting points and it is obvious this makes the lead coating of zinc a matter which must be carefully carried out. It is the purpose of my invention to provide an apparatus which may be successfully employed and at the same time permit of speedy accomplishment of the desired end.

A further object is the provision of an apparatus in which the bar to be coated passes through a flux then through the lead and then through a dissolvent or cleansing solution. in a continuous manner which avoids the heating of the bar to the temperature of the molten lead.

A still further object is the provision of an apparatus by means of which the bars may be subjected to a single quick heating operation which acts to anneal the same and in this way renders the bars more pliable in their coated condition than in their normal uncoated state.

In the accompanying drawing. which illustrates my present invention and forms a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a central vertical longitudinal section taken on a slightly enlarged scale, and

Figure 5 is a cross section through one of the bars which it is my purpose to coat.

Referring now to these fi ures. mv invention proposes a coating tank 10 suitably held as by means of clamps 11 upon a supporting frame whose nature is such as to permit of 1926. Serial No. 119,055.

the use of a burner 12 beneath the tank 10.

.The su )ortin frame is also such as to 3er ure, cannot be bent.

The tank 10. adapted to contain molten lead 14, is curved on a wide are and has its ends cut off horizontally to open upward- 1y but form therein boxes at its feed and outlet ends 15 and 16 respectively for the reception of a fluxing or turning solution 17 and a dissolvent or cleaning solution 18. These solutions are supported upon the surfacesof the relatively heavier molten lead 14 and the latter is maintained at a level above the upper central portion of the tank so that there will be no danger of failure to coat any port-ion of a bar passed through the tank.

The curvature of the tank is furthermore such that but very slight fiexure of the bars is necessary in their passage through the tank and its inner surface is made suflicient- 1y smooth so as to offer no obstruction to the ready passage of a bar shifted therein through the feed end 15, or its subse uent removal through the outlet end 16. bus the operation may be quickly accomplished the bars passin first through the flux 17 then through the molten lead 18 and finally through the dissolvent or cleaning solution 18, without danger of heating the bar to the temperature of the molten lead. 14.

In practice the lead is maintained by the burner 12 at the lowest temperature consistent with. its molten condition and a fresh supply which has been melted outside the tank is added from time to time by pouring the same into the tank wherein it settles below the solutions.

With my improved apparatus and a little care the zinc bars may be efl'ectively coated and will. in addition, be materially improved, and rendered more pliant by virtue of the annealing effect of the heat in their quick passage through the lead. In fact quickly they become as flexible as their use requires and nearly as flexible as lead bars, while retaining a certain degree of stiffness which is very desirable and which lead bars do not possess. In ot 181 words lead-coated zinc bars such as I propose have all of the advantages of the usual lead bars and some additional advantages.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for coating zinc bars with lead, consisting of a tank in tubular t'orrn having a degre of curvature permitting of the passage of a zinc bar endwise therethrough with slight flexure, the curvature of the tank being sufficient to provide upwardly opening ends with horizontal edges to form boxes for the reception of a flux at one end and a dissolvent at the other end upon the surfaces of molten lead Within the tank.

2. An apparatus for coating bars, consisting of a tank cylindrical in cross section adapted to hold molten lead, said tank being regularly curved from end to end and having horizontal edges at its ends opening upwardly to-forrn flux and cleaning boxes above the molten lead. said tank being "curved in a degree permitting; of the passage of bars lengthwise therethrough with minimum flexure and presenting a smooth internal surface whereby to avoid any interference with the quick passage of bars therethrough.

In testimony whereof I have afiixedrmy signature.

ADOLPH H. ROSSBACH. 

